The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

LABOUR Minister Shane Gibson said the National Training Agency in Freeport is opening new doors of employment opportunities for the participants in the government’s job training programme in Grand Bahama.

Since the programme’s launch, he noted that some 50 NTA trainees have been employed, and many others have been placed in internships with a number of participating local companies in Grand Bahama.

Mr Gibson attended the graduation on Monday evening of some 105 participants at the Foster B Pestaina Hall at Pro-Cathedral of Christ the King. This marked the second and third cohorts that have completed 14 weeks of training.

The first cohort consisted of some 135 participants.

“I am advised that the National Training Agency was able to place 87 of you in an internship programme. Many of you were referred by the agency upon request from employers, and many of these employers expressed surprise and satisfaction at the positive attitude and quality performance that you displayed,” Mr Gibson said.

“Additionally, I am advised that as a direct result of the National Training Agency providing these relevant skills training and internships, some 35 of you were able to secure meaningful full time or part time employment,” he said.

Mr Gibson told graduates that their training is the beginning and encouraged them to continue to apply themselves and improve their skills.

“Success is not a matter of luck, it is the result of hard work and commitment,” he told the graduates. “I know that the 14-week training period has probably been one of sacrifice.

“We hope that this programme has opened, or will open new and promising doors for you,” he said. “This is only your first step. Do not consider the awards and certificates you receive tonight the be all and end all. I would like to encourage you to leave here with more than the hope of just getting a job, if you don’t have one already. Instead, continue to develop and enhance the skills you have received and seriously consider how you will work your skills so that you can begin to build meaningful careers.”

Mr Gibson urged graduates to take advantage of the employment opportunities provided to them.

He stressed that a skilled and productive workforce will be needed as the economy grows and expands.

He also thanked the 12 companies in Grand Bahama that provided internships to participants at NTA.